Russian Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev traveled to China August 31-September 4, but apparently failed to convince Chinese officials to conclude a treaty on the protection of trans-border rivers, which would regulate how compensation for damages should be paid. Instead, both sides signed yet another protocol and agreed on planned joint work in 2007-2008.

Russia expects the draft agreement to be prepared for signing by the end of 2007, Trutnev told journalists in Beijing on September 3. However, he conceded that the Chinese have yet to confirm their readiness to conclude the agreement. Trutnev said the agreement should include a clause regarding payments for damages, adding that both sides were yet to reach a consensus on this.

Trutnev also said the Chinese seemed not to have concrete answers to specific questions, and he urged Chinese officials to implement a pledge to conclude the agreement made by President Hu Jintao in March. Trutnev also said that Russia’s insistence did not amount to interference in China’s internal affairs, but said Russia wanted to have a say about the quality of water flowing into its territory (Interfax, Itar-Tass, RIA-Novosti, September 3-4).

The zeal Beijing shows about stopping terrorism against its Olympics doesn’t seem to appear in its environmental protection. And, it seems to come down to money.